[en] In the framework of a national protocol the new E85 composed of 85% of ethanol and 15% of gasoline SP95 has been implemented in the Marne on Flex Fuel vehicles for an experimentation. The document presents the government policy in favor of the biofuels, the E85, the fabrication processus of the ethanol, the biofuels channel in France, the Flex Fuel technology, the experimentation protocol and the implementing of the fleet in the Marne department. (A.L.B.)

[en] The paper presents a general concept of a hybrid propulsion system, based on an SI internal combustion engine fueled by methanol dissociation products (MDP). The proposed hybrid propulsion scheme is a series hybrid, which allows the engine to be operated in an on-off mode at constant optimal regime. The engine is fed by gaseous products of methanol dissociation (mainly hydrogen and carbon monoxide) emerging from an on-board catalytic reformer. The general scheme and base operation features of the propulsion system are described. The benefits that may be achieved by combining the well-known idea of on-board methanol dissociation with the hybrid vehicle concept are discussed. The proposed scheme is compared with those of systems operating on gasoline, liquid methanol, hydrogen and also with the multi-regime (not hybrid) engine fed by MDP

[en] A study concerning the real possibilities of establishing in Colombia a broad program about the use of ethanol and gasoline in mixtures as an automotive fuel is described. Based in the use of sugar cane as the raw material, environmental, social-economical and technical effects are discussed

[en] The present work aims at describing some of the most important biofuels (biodiesel, biomethanol, bioethanol, bio-crude-oil). Environmental effects are also presented, as well as some cost data. Europe and USA are compared, when appropriate. The motivations for a justified and beneficial market penetration of biofuels in urban areas are reported

[en] The present work aims at describing some of the most important bio fuels (bio diesel, bio methanol, bi oethanol, bio-crude-oil). Environmental effects are also presented, as well as some cost data. Europe and USA are compared, when appropriate. The motivations for a justified and beneficial market penetration of bio fuels in urban areas are reported

[en] For the purpose of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), this research investigates the kinetics of methanol oxidation in a porous layer consisting of external hierarchical nanostructures through 2D COMSOL simulation. Three different lengths of nanowires (L) were considered in simulations. The investigation showed that specific activity was reversely proportional to nanowires length and roughness factor (Rf). However, the current density increased by increasing Rf. Although the current density in case of L = 200 nm and 500 nm was identical with respect to Rf, there was a slight deviation when L = 1000 nm due to the changing from kinetic to diffusion controlled regime, which was identified by investigation of Thiele modulus. The catalytic efficiency for L = 1000 nm dropped to 50% at Rf = 140, whereas the high efficiency with no mass-transport limitation was achieved by shorter nanowires. Therefore, increasing Rf within the simulation range resulted in increasing the total catalytic activity but simultaneously decreasing the specific activity because of the decrease in pore accessibility and catalytic efficiency of nanostructures. (paper)

[en] Corn, wheat, sugar cane.. The multiplication of biofuel refineries has led to a rise of the prices of agriculture products. The question is: do we need ethanol? The US situation gives an answer: the offer exceeds the demand and ethanol prices have dropped down. Other environmental and socio-economical consequences of biofuels development are put forward by the UNO, the IMF and by non-governmental organizations who foresee a dramatic rise of food products prices and an aggravation of starvation in developing countries. (J.S.)

[en] Signed by more than 25 associations, or enterprises and the Government, this charter underlines eight main points in favor of the super-ethanol E85 development. Then the charter defines the actions plan allowing to assure the success of the launching and the development of the super-ethanol E85 channel: the necessary standards and technic, the diversified and impressive offer of flex-fuel vehicles, the E85 distribution network on the territory, the development of a competitive and sustainable channel of ethanol production, the economic and fiscal conditions allowing the E85 to be competitive facing the fossil fuels and the following of the actions plan. (A.L.B.)

[en] The biofuels are presented as a solution to the greenhouse gases and the petroleum consumption decrease. The development of the biofuels needs an active research of the production, transformation and use costs improvement. It will be necessary to prepare the market of the biofuels to the globalization. Some recommendations are also provided in the domains of the vegetal oil ester, the ethanol for the diesel and for the development of simulation tools to evaluate the costs. (A.L.B.)

[en] The effect of the organic solvent polarity on the properties of unsupported PtRu catalyst inks and on the performance of the catalyst layers prepared with them for the methanol electrooxidation, has been studied. The light scattering results indicate that the PtRu-Nafion"® aggregates in the inks prepared with n-butyl acetate (NBA) are larger than those prepared with 2-propanol (IPA). The lower polarity of the former favours the aggregation of Nafion"® and nanoparticles. The electron microscopy images and porosimetry measurements of the catalyst layers show that the secondary pore volume between the agglomerates is larger for NBA. The linear sweep voltammetry and eis results for the methanol electrooxidation in the three-electrode cell denote the higher active surface area for NBA and comparable specific oxidation rates of the intermediates in both catalysts layers. The current densities for PtRu anode catalyst layers in single DMFC are higher when the solvent is NBA, the mass transport limitations being much more apparent with IPA. The adapted transmission line equivalent circuit to interpret the impedance results in single DMFC indicates that the proton resistance for NBA is significantly lower than for IPA, thus suggesting that the greater number of accessible active sites for methanol oxidation in the former are well connected to the Nafion"® ionomers and easier transported to the membrane.